BBB

Identity Theft Alerts: Classified Newspaper Auto Scam

In our efforts to keep you alert and vigilant against scams that can damage your credit and finances, Equifax has teamed up with the Better Business Bureau to inform you about the latest fraud schemes.

The following is reprinted with permission from the Better Business Bureau.

BBB has received numerous calls from consumers inquiring about an automobile advertisement placed online via CraigsList.com.

The Setup …

While surfing CraigsList.com for a good deal on a used car, you come across an ad for a 2007 Audi with low miles. The advertised price of only $3500 includes shipping and insurance. Interested parties should contact the advertiser, Adam Puckett, via email at a Yahoo!^® address.

You might think this sounds like a good deal — but you might be falling into a trap. Read more to learn the details and how to avoid this scam.

The interested buyer thinks the deal is too good to be true, but has their hopes up that Mr. Puckett will be an honest seller. After many questions of why the car is selling thousands of dollars below Blue Book value, Mr. Puckett explains his son was killed in Iraq and just wants somebody to take care of the vehicle as his son did. The buyer is then supplied with a fake soldier's ID as proof. Feeling reassured, the seller advises the buyer that the vehicle will be shipped via USA Transport located in Chicago, IL and that the funds must be wired through Western Union to the attention of Daniel Von Mark.

The Scam …

USA Transport contacts the buyer once the money has been wired to confirm a scheduled time for delivery; however, the delivery never occurs and the $3500 is gone. The address used by USA Transport is occupied by another unsuspecting business whose address has been stolen and used in this scam.

Protect Yourself From Fraud

BBB advises consumers when shopping any classified advertisement to:

Purchase from sellers whom you are able to meet in person and view the product before making the purchase.
Never wire money to an unknown person or address. Making payment via a credit card will allow you to dispute a transaction that was never complete.

Always check with the Better Business Bureau at http://www.bbb.org before spending your money.